[STYLE: Funk Blues, deep syncopated groove, blues-based harmony, powerful rhythmic feel, soulful and confident] [INTRO: 8 bars, syncopated electric bass, muted funk guitar, tight drums, Hammond organ stabs, short horn accents] [VERSE 1] You came knocking at my door Like you owned the place You came knocking at my door With that same old look upon your face You thought I'd still be waiting Like I waited yesterday But I've got a brand-new rhythm And I'm dancing you away [PRE-CHORUS: Bass groove becomes more prominent, guitar scratches] I spent too many nights Trying to make you understand Now I've got my own beat And I'm taking back command [CHORUS: Full funk-blues groove] Ain't gonna let you bring me down No, no, not today Ain't gonna let you bring me down I'm gonna move my blues away You can talk all night long But I ain't gonna hear that sound I've got rhythm in my soul And I ain't gonna let you bring me down [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK 1: 8 bars, wah-wah guitar riff, clavinet accents, bass and drums locked into tight funk groove] [VERSE 2] You said I couldn't make it You said I'd never change You said without your loving My life would feel too strange Well, look at me now, baby I'm standing on my feet I've got fire in my heartbeat And rhythm in the street [PRE-CHORUS: Stop-time guitar and horn accents] You thought you had the power You thought you had control But somewhere in the struggle I found my own soul [CHORUS: Full band] Ain't gonna let you bring me down No, no, not today Ain't gonna let you bring me down I'm gonna move my blues away You can talk all night long But I ain't gonna hear that sound I've got rhythm in my soul And I ain't gonna let you bring me down [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK 2: 8 bars, Hammond organ solo over bass groove, wah-wah guitar responses, punchy horn stabs] [VERSE 3] I got a pair of old blue shoes And a brand-new attitude I got a little bit of money And a whole lot of gratitude The road may get rough And the night may get long But every time the beat drops I know where I belong [BRIDGE: Groove drops to bass, drums and clavinet] I learned something from the heartbreak I learned something from the pain You can lose somebody's love And still find yourself again I don't need your permission I don't need your goodbye I'm gonna keep this rhythm Till the day I die [FINAL CHORUS: Full band, maximum energy] Ain't gonna let you bring me down No, no, not today Ain't gonna let you bring me down I'm gonna move my blues away You can talk all night long But I ain't gonna hear that sound I've got rhythm in my soul And I ain't gonna let you bring me down Ain't gonna let you bring me down I'm standing strong and free Ain't gonna let you bring me down I'm finally being me Every beat inside my heart Keeps that old groove spinning round I've got fire in my soul And I ain't gonna let you bring me down [INSTRUMENTAL FINALE: 32 bars, extended funk groove, guitar and Hammond trading solos, horn section accents, bass-driven outro] [FINAL VOCAL AD LIBS] Bring me down? No way... Can't stop this groove... Can't stop me now... [OUTRO: 16 bars, main bass riff repeats with wah-wah guitar and Hammond stabs] [ENDING: Sudden full-band stop after final rhythmic hit]
